Think I've decided, but need to double check for own sanity
Discussion
So, new company car to be ordered shortly and I think I've concluded that a Jag XF 3.0 diesel S with toys for around £650-700 per month is the preferred option.
But have I missed anything?
In terms of criteria I have a wife and son therefore 4 seats would be ideal, but not essential as 6 days out of 7 there is a max of 2 in car.
However the other car in the family is a Mini and for trips to the tip and such like a bigger car would be useful.
I do 20k miles a year so economy is a consideration, but anywhere around 30mpg would be fine.
Commute is mainly country roads and a bit of dual carriageway, so a car that is fun to steer on the twisty stuff would be preferred.
I've driven an XF and liked it, but just want to make sure I've considered and discounted all other options.
But have I missed anything?
In terms of criteria I have a wife and son therefore 4 seats would be ideal, but not essential as 6 days out of 7 there is a max of 2 in car.
However the other car in the family is a Mini and for trips to the tip and such like a bigger car would be useful.
I do 20k miles a year so economy is a consideration, but anywhere around 30mpg would be fine.
Commute is mainly country roads and a bit of dual carriageway, so a car that is fun to steer on the twisty stuff would be preferred.
I've driven an XF and liked it, but just want to make sure I've considered and discounted all other options.
illmonkey said:
+1, get a 2 seater and change the Mini to something else!
What 2 seater though, can't get a Boxster or Cayman for that money, I've already checked 
not sure if there's any others I'd make the sacrifice for. And I've got bugger all chance of getting her out of the Mini. I tried to convince her at the weekend that we should get her a newer and quicker Mini, and was told to keep my nose out and it's her car not mine! Can't argue with that really.
But open to suggestions, that's what the thread is for
Edited by antspants on Wednesday 29th February 15:21
Don't know how to edit titles, but it should read "Thought I'd decided, but now I've changed my bloody mind again!"
I've just worked out that my choice of car is going to cost me over £5k a year in tax, which I'm struggling to get my head round tbh.
If I take the £650 as a car allowance, after tax I'll be £10k a year better off but with no car. Surely I can find something pretty decent for less than that??
I'm thinking I could finance around £15k over 3 years, still leaving plenty for insurance, tax, servicing and tyres, and in 3 years time I should have a car left worth at least £5k to start again.
Mind you thinking it through I still won't be any better off each month - oh ffs!
Anybody else had this kind of dilemma and what did you decide to do? I suppose it just narks me that I'm giving the tax man even more of my money
I've just worked out that my choice of car is going to cost me over £5k a year in tax, which I'm struggling to get my head round tbh.
If I take the £650 as a car allowance, after tax I'll be £10k a year better off but with no car. Surely I can find something pretty decent for less than that??
I'm thinking I could finance around £15k over 3 years, still leaving plenty for insurance, tax, servicing and tyres, and in 3 years time I should have a car left worth at least £5k to start again.
Mind you thinking it through I still won't be any better off each month - oh ffs!
Anybody else had this kind of dilemma and what did you decide to do? I suppose it just narks me that I'm giving the tax man even more of my money
It's a nice decision to have! I started off taking the cash and running my own car but after putting 15000 miles on in 4 months and a couple of unfortunate incidents leading to repair costs, I decided enough was enough and ordered a company car.
My allowance is similar and I was looking at the MB C350 CDI Saloon and BMW 330d coupes. Nice, but £350 a month in tax is a big consideration.
I ended up going a little bit more sensible and choosing a 4-pot diesel (C250). It has enough grunt without you ending up in licence threatening territory each time you squeeze the pedal. It's still a significant amount in tax each month but nowhere near the rates for the 3 litre cars.
If you are doing loads of miles go for the company car, particularly if you don't do a huge amount of business miles but lots of personal miles. If you aren't doing lots of miles take the money and buy a nice biggish petrol for much less than the equivalent diesel model and run it for 3 years. Maybe buy approved used at the right time and a '2 years warranty' deal might be available, some manufacturers do this from time to time.
My only regret really (in terms of choosing the company car) is not waiting until the new 328i came out. 0-60 in under 6 seconds and 44mpg can't be bad.
My allowance is similar and I was looking at the MB C350 CDI Saloon and BMW 330d coupes. Nice, but £350 a month in tax is a big consideration.
I ended up going a little bit more sensible and choosing a 4-pot diesel (C250). It has enough grunt without you ending up in licence threatening territory each time you squeeze the pedal. It's still a significant amount in tax each month but nowhere near the rates for the 3 litre cars.
If you are doing loads of miles go for the company car, particularly if you don't do a huge amount of business miles but lots of personal miles. If you aren't doing lots of miles take the money and buy a nice biggish petrol for much less than the equivalent diesel model and run it for 3 years. Maybe buy approved used at the right time and a '2 years warranty' deal might be available, some manufacturers do this from time to time.
My only regret really (in terms of choosing the company car) is not waiting until the new 328i came out. 0-60 in under 6 seconds and 44mpg can't be bad.
antspants said:
Don't know how to edit titles, but it should read "Thought I'd decided, but now I've changed my bloody mind again!"
I've just worked out that my choice of car is going to cost me over £5k a year in tax, which I'm struggling to get my head round tbh.
If I take the £650 as a car allowance, after tax I'll be £10k a year better off but with no car. Surely I can find something pretty decent for less than that??
I'm thinking I could finance around £15k over 3 years, still leaving plenty for insurance, tax, servicing and tyres, and in 3 years time I should have a car left worth at least £5k to start again.
Mind you thinking it through I still won't be any better off each month - oh ffs!
Anybody else had this kind of dilemma and what did you decide to do? I suppose it just narks me that I'm giving the tax man even more of my money
I was wondering when you'd come to that conclusion.I've just worked out that my choice of car is going to cost me over £5k a year in tax, which I'm struggling to get my head round tbh.
If I take the £650 as a car allowance, after tax I'll be £10k a year better off but with no car. Surely I can find something pretty decent for less than that??
I'm thinking I could finance around £15k over 3 years, still leaving plenty for insurance, tax, servicing and tyres, and in 3 years time I should have a car left worth at least £5k to start again.
Mind you thinking it through I still won't be any better off each month - oh ffs!
Anybody else had this kind of dilemma and what did you decide to do? I suppose it just narks me that I'm giving the tax man even more of my money
For similar dosh (but a far smaller BiK tax bill) have you considered a BMW 320d ED with all the options boxes ticked?
I think mine came to somewhere iro £38K with a similar monthly amount as yours, but only 109g CO2/km.
It's a nice car, does about 65mpg on a run, has lots of toys and even rides nicely (no runflats). I suppose it depends on whether you can get past the image/looks etc.
C
texasjohn said:
If you are doing loads of miles go for the company car, particularly if you don't do a huge amount of business miles but lots of personal miles.
I do 20k a year, mainly personal miles, which is my main concern if opting out in terms of depreciation and running costs. texasjohn said:
My only regret really (in terms of choosing the company car) is not waiting until the new 328i came out. 0-60 in under 6 seconds and 44mpg can't be bad.
Just been doing some comparisons on comcar and these are only £2,400 a year in tax. Even the 335i is only £3,400, or £280 a month. I could stomach that just need to hold out for the M-sport version 
CraigyMc said:
I was wondering when you'd come to that conclusion.
Don't know why I hadn't thought of it tbh, too excited at the thought of my new car CraigyMc said:
For similar dosh (but a far smaller BiK tax bill) have you considered a BMW 320d ED with all the options boxes ticked?
It's a nice car, does about 65mpg on a run, has lots of toys and even rides nicely (no runflats). I suppose it depends on whether you can get past the image/looks etc.
C
I have considered it but just want something quicker, and am therefore willing to pay a bit extra for the privilege - within reason It's a nice car, does about 65mpg on a run, has lots of toys and even rides nicely (no runflats). I suppose it depends on whether you can get past the image/looks etc.
C
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